Recipes — Back to school

6 Healthy Back-to-School Snacks Perfect for Your Kid’s Lunchbox 0

Summer is winding down, and the back-to-school season is just around the corner. With hectic school days ahead, it's essential to have delicious and healthy snacks ready to fill those lunchboxes. We've got you covered with six irresistible back-to-school snacks that are perfect for both kids and adults. From the sweet and wholesome Cherry Almond Cereal Bars to the frozen delight of Peanut Butter Froyo Bark, these snacks are easy to make and guaranteed to keep everyone satisfied. For those who crave savory treats, our Sausage Pizza Rolls, Oven-Roasted Chickpeas, and Cheesy Spinach Muffins are the ultimate choices. These mouthwatering snacks are packed with flavor and nutrition, making them the ideal alternative to unhealthy store-bought treats. So, get ready to impress your little ones and yourself with these scrumptious back-to-school snacks that are sure to become family favorites! Discover the recipes and make snack time exciting and nutritious for the entire family.

5 Yummy Back-to-School Recipes to Brighten Up Your Kiddo's Lunch Box 0

So, September is right around the corner, and you know what that means. It's almost time to send your kiddo(s) back to school. But, brand new gear excitement aside, back-to-school season is also a time for hectic mornings with zero time to prep something decent for his/her lunch box. If you want to avoid such scenarios, stepping up your meal prep game is your only choice, and these five easy back-to-school recipes are just the thing to get you started.
PS: The healthy ingredients in there are just a bonus.

1. Cheese Broccoli Egg Cups

By now, most moms know that cheese is a surefire way to transform just about any veggie based snack into a kid approved meal, and these lunch box friendly egg cups are no exception. Laced with broccoli and Cheddar cheese, these bites will secretly sneak a bunch of much needed nutrients into your munchkin's body while sparing you the lunchtime tantrums.
Ingredients:
½ cup dehydrated broccoli
¼ cup Cheddar cheese, grated
2 small eggs, beaten
¼ cup milk
1 clove garlic, minced
A pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions:

1. In a bowl, add the dehydrated broccoli along with one cup of warm water.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350^o
3. Once the broccoli is hydrated, remove it from the bowl, squeeze away any excess water, and add to a separate bowl along with the other ingredients and whisk together until they are evenly combined.
4. Line a muffin tin with cupcake cases, and pour 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture in each case.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the egg cups are cooked through.

2. Greek Style Pasta Salad

Another genius way to trick your little one into eating his/her veggies is to add pasta to the mix. From tomatoes to cucumber to green olives, this kid friendly take on the classic side salad will have them asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
8 ounces of bow-tie pasta, cooked
½ cucumber, peeled and diced
4 tbsp dehydrated tomato flakes
5 green olives, pitted and cut in half
3 tbsp Feta cheese, crumbled
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp vinegar
½ tsp dried oregano
A pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions:

1. In a bowl, add the tomato flakes along with 1/3 cup of warm water and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Once the tomato flakes are hydrated, squeeze away the excess water, and transfer to a salad bowl.
3. Toss the rest of the ingredients and mix well until they are evenly combined.
4. Refrigerate for a couple of hours and serve chilled.

3. Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

Even though store bought cookies don't have a reputation for being healthy, this homemade version begs to differ. Containing a variety of nutrient rich ingredients, such as oats, fruits, and cinnamon, these chewy cookies will be your kiddo's new favorite back-to-school snack.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup oats
½ cup freeze dried blueberries
¼ cup freeze dried banana slices
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp coconut oil
½ tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup maple syrup
¼ tsp cinnamon
A pinch of salt
Instructions:

1. In a bowl add the freeze dried blueberries and banana slices along with 1 ½ cup of warm water and set aside.
2. Once they are hydrated, remove them from the water, and mash the banana slices.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350^oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. In a bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
5. In a separate bowl, add the banana puree, coconut oil, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and combine well.
6. Then, stir in the flour mixture and the blueberries until you form dough.
7. Using your impeccably clean, bare hands, form balls with the dough and arrange them on the baking sheet.
8. Flatten them with the heel of your hand to the desired thickness and bake for about 8-10 minutes or until they are cooked through.

4. Bean Dip and Chips

Who said your kid's lunch box is only worthy of BLT sandwiches? This slightly fancy but super easy bean dip recipe proves once again that back-to-school recipes can be all types of yummy with minimal effort.
Pro tip: Pair this delicious dip with gluten free tortilla chips for a healthy midday treat.
Ingredients:
1 cup dehydrated refried bean mix
½ cup passata
½ cup sour cream
¼ tsp chili powder
½ cup Cheddar cheese, grated
1/8 tsp cumin
Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients in a slow cooker along with 2 cups of water and cook for about 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

5. Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Balls

From loading the human body with vitamin C to providing you with a hefty dose of fiber and protein, zucchini is one of those foods that screams “healthy.” Unfortunately, given its mild taste, the nutrient-rich veggie often goes unnoticed. Bring zucchini back into the spotlight with this zesty lunch box recipe that'll convert your little one into a lifelong fan from that very first bite.
Ingredients:
1 cup dehydrated zucchini
2 small eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup Cheddar cheese, grated
1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp salt
Instructions:

1. Add the dehydrated zucchini to a bowl along with 1 cup of warm water and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350^o
3. Once hydrated, transfer the zucchini to another bowl and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Mix until you form a batter. If it's too moist, add more breadcrumbs.
4. Using your hands, form several golf-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the zucchini balls turn golden.
6. Serve with yogurt based dips.

What's your go-to lunch box recipe for your little munchkin? Share your ideas and suggestions in the comments down below!

 

5 Yummy Back-to-School Recipes to Brighten Up Your Kiddo’s Lunch Box 1

It's almost time to send your kiddo(s) back to school. Back-to-school season is a time for hectic mornings with zero time to prep something decent for the kids’ lunch boxes. If you want to avoid this stressful scenario, try these 5 easy back-to-school recipes are just the thing to get you started.

Back To School Time - 10 Easy Smoothie Recipes On The Go 0

Although the back to school time is a transition from waking up late to lazy breakfasts to quick breakfasts and rushing to get to the bus, it need not be stressful.
Childhood is the time where children experience growth spurts and need proper nutrition. We want to help you take out the stress of meal planning, and give you a few easy ways to nourish your kiddos. Smoothies are packed with fiber and antioxidants and are perfect for back to school snacks:¹ convenient and ideal to give your child energy on the go.
Here are some easy and quick delicious smoothie recipes. Try preparing them in the evening and put in the refrigerator if you have a busy morning schedule to save on time and your peace of mind.

1. Banana Oatmeal smoothie with peanut butter¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat milk/ or a milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 2 bananas
• ½ cup oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

Preparation

• Add all the ingredients to a blender.
• Blend for 20-30 seconds until frothy and smooth. Stir and blend again for a minute.
• Pack in a smoothie bottle.

2. Blueberry vanilla smoothie¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat milk / or a milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 11/2 cup yogurt
• 1 banana, chopped
• 1 cup frozen or freeze dried blueberries
• 1 1/2 tsp flax seed meal
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Place the chopped banana, yogurt, milk, flax seed meal, and honey in a blender.
• Blend for 5-10 seconds on the lowest speed until smooth.
• Add the blueberries gradually as you continue to blend on low speed. Increase speed and blend to your desired consistency.

3. Mixed berries with yogurt²

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed berries
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 teaspoon almond butter

Preparation

• Put all the mixtures in a blender and blend until smooth. Chill overnight and pack for your kids in the morning - a perfect way to get a ton of vitamin C and protein.

4. Green chia seed and fruit smoothie²

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 cup frozen mango
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

Preparation

• Blend the ingredients to a smooth consistency.
• Sweeten with natural frozen fruits such as mango and bananas to get a boost of natural sugars. Spinach is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, while the chia seeds add a boost to the nutrients and thicken the drink.²

5. Healthy avocado and orange punch³

Ingredients

• 1 medium avocado
• 1 banana
• 1 orange
• ½ cup strawberries
• 1 cup yogurt

Preparation

• Blend all the ingredients to make a healthy fruit punch - refreshing and nutritious and a great way for the kids to start their morning.

6. Tropical fruit with coconut smoothie³

Ingredients

• 2 cups of a mix of tropical fruits (mango, banana and pineapple)
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Blend the ingredients until combined and smooth.
• Sweeten with honey if desired.
• Add the coconut and pulse or blend on low speed to combine.

7. Cocoa and banana smoothie with Raspberry⁴

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen raspberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients until combined. Sweeten with honey, if desired. Blend until smooth and frothy.

8. Frozen berries and rolled oats smoothie³

Ingredients

• 2 cups of mixed frozen or freeze dried berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
• 1 1/2 cups skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk)
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all the ingredients until combined. Sweeten with honey, if needed; then blend until frothy.

9. Pineapple, kale, and mint smoothie⁴

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 cup packed fresh kale without stems
• 3/4 cup coconut water
• 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves.
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients in blender at low speed. Sweeten as desired with honey. Pulse the blender to mix then blend until smooth.

10. Banana, peanut butter, and date smoothies⁴

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk)
• 5 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 pitted and chopped dates

Preparation

• Blend until smooth and frothy.

Smoothies offer significant nutritional benefits; they are quick to make and help you to avoid skipping breakfast for those quick mornings. Sweeten with natural freeze dried fruits like berries, mangoes, and pineapples. Add some greens, like spinach, to get a boost of vitamins and antioxidants, and nuts, like flax seeds or almonds, to make it nutritionally complete.
If you prepare your smoothies ahead of time, your kids will be fuller longer, because of the fiber, and they'll have the energy to get through the busiest part of the day. Do you love the smoothie fever for back to school time? Try out these recipes and give us feedback below.

 
References

1. http://blog.bestbuy.ca/home-furniture-kitchen/recipes-how-to/back-to-school-easy-tasty-breakfast-smoothies-that-will-get-you-to-school-fast
2. http://www.coupons.com/thegoodstuff/10-easy-smoothie-recipes/
3. https://www.today.com/food/easy-healthy-smoothies-recipes-beat-breakfast-boredom-t10266
4. https://www.today.com/health/super-breakfast-smoothies-help-make-back-school-breeze-t41806